Community Reports
There has to be a way to report rash driving – Community Report – Gulf News – Dt 27th January 2014
No way to report bad driving
Reader says that all buses should have contact details to report bad driving practices.
By Ramesh Menon Gulf News reader
Published: 18:07 January 26, 2014
The effort by the UAE transport authorities to streamline road safety is getting side tracked by some inadvertent measures taken by transport carriers. Or are they intentional?
I am referring to the regulation to display a contact number on the mini and heavy buses carrying passengers. These days, many of them do not have a signboard and some of them display email addresses or switchboard numbers. Both are not effective, in case of an emergency situation, or in order to report road rage noticed on the road.
What was surprising to me was the fact that even school buses did not carry these signboards. In addition, these signs are to be written in lumniscent letters in a sufficiently large size so that they can be read easily during the day or night.
These boards should also be placed on all the government-owned transport vehicles, as they are also seen driving on the hard shoulder at times.
A few days ago, I struggled to find out the details of a speeding bus driver who was continuously flashing the headlights at me and driving at a speed higher than the regulatory speed. On another occasion, I was too shocked to see a big trailer speeding within the city of Abu Dhabi, but there was really no way to find out the company details or contacts for those responsible for it.
We need more awareness on the dangers of heavy vehicles speeding. I humbly request the concerned authorities to ensure these traffic regulations are strictly followed.
The reader is based in Abu Dhabi.
To read it in original, visit GULF NEWS online
Renovation work hurts commuters – Letters to the editor – The National Dt 19 December 2013
Renovation work hurts commuters
Letters to the Editor – The National 19 December 2013
Read more:http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/feedback/renovation-work-hurts-commuters#ixzz2nsonKboH
Follow us: @TheNationalUAE on Twitter | thenational.ae on Facebook
A series of road and pavement repair work being carried out in sector 73 in Khalidiya is causing major inconvenience to the public.
The entire area is marked for repair by the contracting company responsible for the project. They have also dug up the pavement and removed the bricks that have been stacked up randomly. It’s a posh residential area with a high concentration of high-rises, restaurants, banks and other commercial establishments. In normal times, before the repair work began, availability of parking spaces was limited. So one can imagine the inconvenience it has caused to residents and visitors. The pieces of bricks and concrete also pose a grave danger to children.
Apart from that, the lorries that keep plying in the area cause traffic chaos as there is limited space for vehicle movement.
I humbly request the civic authorities to facilitate convenient passage for residents and vehicles. That could have been done easily by marking smaller segments for renovation, instead of marking an entire sector. It can still be done.
Ramesh Menon, Abu Dhabi
Read more:http://www.thenational.ae/thenationalconversation/feedback/renovation-work-hurts-commuters#ixzz2nsohbda3
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Beware of date expired fruit juices and products being sold in Pampa and Sabarimala
Used Book Fair aims to encourage youth to read more
Used Book Fair aims to encourage youth to read more
Fair promotes the vrtues of reading, volunteering and brings the community together
By Ramesh Menon, Gulf News reader
Published: 00:00 February 17, 2013
Sharjah City for Humanitarian Services (SCHS) is finalising preparations for the fifth Used Book Fair, which will be held from February 26 to March 1 at the Palm Garden by Khalid Lagoon. Books are currently being accepted from anyone who wishes to donate, provided the books are in good condition. One can donate books in any language, but magazines and textbooks will not be accepted.
Schools that donate less than 2,000 books will be allocated one booth and those that donate more than 2,000 will be allowed two. Participants will be given a certificate of achievement.
Students who donate more than 20 books will also receive a certificate.
The Used Book Fair is organised every two years and has a number of objectives, such as promoting the habit of reading by offering low-priced books, planting the spirit of volunteering in the minds of the youth and raising funds to support the services offered by SCHS to people with special needs.
SCHS is a local non-profit organisation, which was founded in 1979 and aims to change society’s attitude towards people with special needs and effect policies regarding disability-related issues. It also aspires to pave the way to a brighter future for children with mental and physical challenges, giving them confidence and a chance to live in a society that provides equal opportunities.
During the four days of the fair, visitors will find books available for as little as Dh3.
The last day to donate books is February 24.
Anyone wishing to donate books can contact SCHS on 06-5669966, SCHS Collection Supervisor Mihraj Abdul Rahim on either 06-5671117 or 050-7965576 or drop them at SCHS premises in the Al Yarmouk area of Sharjah.
The reader is a technical officer based in Abu Dhabi. Be a community reporter. Tell us what is happening in your community. Send us your videos and pictures at readers@gulfnews.com
To read it in original, please visit GULF NEWS online
Safer roads – Letters to the Editor – Gulf News Dt 31 Jan 2013
Safer roads
I took a look at the newspaper recently and was horrified to see the photo of a totally burned car, resulting in the death of an Emirati – yet another victim of speeding on our roads. A search of news reports over the past two months showed me at least 12 other similar deaths due to speeding. What’s happening to our drivers?
There is clearly a crisis.
A closer look revealed the alarming fact that most of these vehicles are driven by educated men and women.
Does this show that there is a lack of willingness to acknowledge and respect safety initiatives in place?
If so, it has to be controlled by initiating stricter rules and regulations so that no life is lost due to dangerous driving.
I suggest the authorities bring in a fine system which is pro rata, based on the type and model of the vehicle and driver involved. In addition, all automobile dealers should be requested to give a 2-3 hour mandatory safety training to the new owner, with a certification issued after successful completion that he is well aware of the controls of the car he is going to own and fit and safe enough to drive it.
I wish to see zero tolerance on speeding on our roads and no fatalities in the future, as a result.
From Mr Ramesh Menon Abu Dhabi
To read it in original, please visit GULF NEWS online
The thoughts behind my letter were based on these news items published in the GULF NEWS:
Transluminescent signage and directions on Abu Dhabi roads
Extra caution needed to handle flammables
While in the heart of Abu Dhabi, I happened to witness a tanker refilling a building’s storage unit with gas and was shocked at the absolutely careless manner in which the process was handled.
The building was situated in the center of the city, in front of one of the malls in the area, and the truck was stationed in the street, where many vehicles continuously passed by.
There was no sign or barrier around the truck to keep other vehicles at a safe distance.
All but one of the workers were out of uniform and the one person wearing a uniform was not near the control unit of the truck, which was transferring highly flammable gas to the storage unit. Nor was there a single person near the inlet to monitor the transfer process.
I was really shocked to see this being handled as if it were a transfer of drinking water to a building unit.
There are restaurants and coffee shops in the building, and the streets are filled with drivers, passengers, and pedestrians who carry lit cigarettes and which could be thrown in any direction at any time.
Also, rash drivers try to speed on these narrow roads. What if a vehicle were to emanate an electronic spark or if there was an accident while this process was taking place?
I humbly call on the concerned authorities to take caution and urgently issue appropriate guidelines for the refilling of cooking gas at residential units. These are activities that need to be carried out under strict caution and guidelines.
Let us take precaution before an accident happens.
The reader is based in Abu Dhabi. Be a community reporter. Tell us what is happening in your community. Send us your videos and pictures at readers@gulfnews.com
To read it in original, please visit GULF NEWS online.
Its time to slow down. KBG, Can you do it? Temple elephants are living beings – please be kind to them
Its time to slow down. KBG, Can you do it? Temple elephants are living beings – please be kind to them
Once again, another temple festival season is due in Kerala. Especially, this is very prominent and predominant at central part of Kerala, specifically, in and around Trichur, Palghat and Ernakulam districts.
- To make sure, the elephant is loaded to a truck in the best convenient and safest possible way.
- To make sure, the elephant is loaded to a truck in the best convenient and safest possible way.
- To make sure, the elephant is transported from one place to another in a safe speed, say less than 40 kms per hour.
- To make sure, the elephant gets sufficient time to relax before it is decorated and dressed for a long stay for a procession or festivity associated.
- To make sure, the elephant gets sufficient time to relax before it is loaded once again to its next destination.
- To make sure, it gets sufficient time to walk and stretch its muscles and body, before it has to travel or stand silently for any festivity.
- To make sure, it gets quality food and water at each of the above point.
- Absolutely, do not allow, Flash photography at close proximity where elephants are lined up for festivities.
- Last and most important, to make sure, they get sufficient rest between one programme and the next.
- These activities, should be strictly logged, monitored and controlled by respective Devaswom Officers, Forest and District Collector Level Officers to make sure, they are well taken care and protected.
For your information, am very well sure, the way they are transported from one point to another is the most cruel manner. The speed at which these trucks are driven to reach the next destination, I am sure, even some human being sitting at the carriage space, may not be able to withstand. To add more, if you want to watch and view by yourself, the way they are loaded to a truck, it is really pathetic. God save them and bless them to be silent as ever.
Imagine you are in its position to climb over to a cabin of an 8 ft heavy load truck!!
Nothing more to say, government and the ministry, and ministers have to act, well before this festival season, so that NO DEATH HAPPENS due to an elephant attack and NO TEMPLE ELEPHANT is treated or over worked during this season.
I sincerely hope all elephant lovers join me too in this campaign.
Schools should promote health – Letters to the editor – The National Dt. 01 October 2012
For residents of Kadugodi – the way to bus stand is still down and under
It is a very sad scene each time I pass by this major point of Whitefield. The railway crossing connecting Kadugodi population and the Bus stand is causing lot of difficulties for all. At any given time there will be a goods train waiting, with endless carriages, waiting for signal. It makes life difficult for all age a difficult process to cross over. It is extremely difficult in the morning as one rush to the bus stand to reach office or school. Children and aged have to squeeze down or walk all the way till the end and then cross over. At night time, there is absolutely no light making it all the more difficult.
ClicksandWrites 
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